With students going back to school, you may feel a little anxious.
Here's a list of ways you can get ready and reduce any anxiety you may be feeling around returning back to the school environment:
1. School work
If you’re worried about not being up to date with work, contact your teachers before you go back to discuss this. They will be on hand to help and guide you through the catch up process
2. Information from school
Take a good look through all of the information and advice your school will have sent through about your return to school.
This will help prevent your fears from escalating, giving you time to process how school has changed and how your day will run before you get there
3. Use mindfulness
Mindfulness is a useful tool to help you relax and bring yourself back into the moment, being free from distractions.
It also helps you become aware of your thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them, and enables you to be able to handle them too.
There are some great apps that you can access to help you with mindfulness, including:
4. Understand the importance of social distancing
Take a look at our advice around social distancing and the importance of doing it to stop the spread of coronavirus.
5. Make sure you know how to wash your hands!
Sounds simple, but incredibly important especially when using the same space as others.
Take a look at this NHS handwashing video to learn how to wash your hands effectively.
6. Be kind to yourself and others
There is a lot of pressure for life to turn back to normal, but it’s good to acknowledge that things have changed since you were last in school and since you were last with your friends face to face!
Everyone’s lockdown experiences will have been different. Try to check in on how others are feeling, how they’ve been coping and learn from each other about managing time and your emotions during COVID-19.
The latest information around wearing face masks in secondary schools can be found here on GOV.UK
how to get help
If you have any more questions on this area or would like to speak to somebody about this topic, have a look at the links or search for your local services in the blue box below. Alternatively you can always contact your public health nurse.